Flying-machine or aeroplane.



FIPBBOl APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 16, 1911. 1,045,850, Patented Dec. 3,1912.

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FLYING-MACHINE 0R AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

Application filed August 16, 1911. Serial No. 644,387.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN JIRAsEK, a subject of the Emperor ofAustria-Hungary, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFlying-Machines or Aeroplanes; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tocharacters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in flying machines oraeroplanes; and, the present invention has for its principal object toprovide an aeroplaneconstruction comprising a main frame-work, carryingthe motor and propeller and an upright or vertical frame-work alsomounted thereon, and in which is supported an oscillatory auxiliaryframe, carrying the main plane or main supporting surface.

The invention has for its further object to provide in connection withthe framework and oscillatory auxiliary frame of the characterhereinafter more fully described, an arrangement of independently actingsmall adjustable frames, carrying the smaller adjusting planes orailerons, all with a view of producing a simple, neat, and durableconstruction, and the parts of which are most compactly arranged intheir assembled relations, so as to provide a light and efficientlyconstructed frame-work, and a flying machine or apparatus which can bereadily raised or lowered while in flight, and the directions of itsfloating movement being under the most complete control of the operator.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularlyenumerated will be clearly understood from the following de' taileddescription of the present invention. With the various objects of thepresent invention in view, the said invention consists, primarily, inthe novel flying machine or aeroplane hereinafter set forth; and theinvention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements andcombinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the detailsof the construction of the same, all of which will be more fullydescribed in the following specification, and then finally embodied inthe clauses of the claim which are appended to and which form anessential part of this specification.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a front view of the general frame-work of a flying machineor aeroplane made according to and embodying the principles of thepresent invention; and Fig. 2 1s a top or plan view of the same, thesail or canvas coverings forming the supporting planes being, however,omitted from said views. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, takenon line 33 in said Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow 00,said view being made on an enlarged scale.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the abovedescribed views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, thereference-character 1 indicates the complete frame-work of a flyingmachine or aeroplane illustrating one embodiment of the principles ofthe present invention, the same comprising, in general, a main frameworkconsisting of an upper frame in which is suitably mounted the propeller,and a lower and smaller frame depending from said upper frame, in whichthe motor is placed, for the proper balancing effects, as will presentlybe more fully described, and which upper frame acts as a support for theoscillatory frame of the main plane or the main supporting surface. Thesaid main frame-work consists, essentially, of a suitably constructedbase or platform, as 2, of any suitable dimensions, said base orplatform being carried upon and being suitably secured to supportingtubular members 3, arranged preferably in the form of a square orrectangle, said members being suitably connected by means of fittings,as 4. Suitably connected with said fittings 4, and extending in upwarddirections from said fittings, are tubular posts or uprights 5, thefront and rear posts or uprights at each side of the frame which isformed by the tubular members 3 being connected by a pair of rods orbars, as 6, said rods or bars being suitably supported and secured intheir respective positions by means of nuts 7 and 8 upon each post orupright 5, substantially in the manner illustrated in the severalfigures of the drawings. Each rod or bar 6 is provided with a suitablyformed bearing-portion 9, and suitably mounted in the saidbearing-portions is a rod or shaft 10. Each pair of front and rear postsor uprights; and, the pair of front posts or upby side-bars, as 11,which are suitably secured at their ends to the respective post oruprights; and, the pair of front posts or uprights, as well as the pairof rear posts or uprights, are similarly connected and strengthened bymeans of rods or bars 12.

Extending angularly from the fittings 4 at the several corners of theframe, formed by the tubular members 3, are short members or arms, as13, upon the free end-portion of each of whichis a tubular fitting l4,and oscillatorily mounted in each fitting 14 is a stem 15. The lowerend-portion of each stem 15 is preferably suitably bent, as represented,and in the forked bearing-portion 16 of each stem 15 is rotatablymounted a wheel 17 The purpose of these wheels is wellunderstood. Eachfitting 14 is provided with a pair of laterally extending short platesor arms, as 18, between which are arranged and secured by means ofsuitable pins or bolts 19, the free end-portions of the arm-like membersof a yoke-shaped shock-absorbing member or element, as 20. Each memberor element 20 is preferably made of a resilient material, such asrubber, and is of such strength, that the upper and main portions ofsaid members or elements and against which the upper end-portions ofsaid stems 15'bear, will readily maintain the parts in the positionsshownin the drawings, and Will readily sustain the weight of the flyingmachine or apparatus and its load.

Oscillatorily mounted upon the previously mentioned rod or shaft 10 isthe laterally extending frame of the main plane or main supportingsurface of the flying machine or aeroplane. This frame consists of anarrangement of lower tubular members or elements, as 21, suitablyconnected by means of suitably formed fittings 22, and an arrangement ofupper tubular members or elements 23, suitably connected by means ofsuitably formed fittings 24, the respective fittings 22 and 24 beingsuitably interconnected by means of vertical rods or members 25. Theplanes formed by the said connected lower members or elements 21, and bythe said connected upper members or elements 23, in practice carry thesail or canvas coverings, these sail or canvas-coverings, however, beingomitted from the drawings herein shown. Extending from the fittings 22at the re spective pair of centrally located lower tubular members orelements 21, are angularly disposed braces 26, in the form of tubularrods, said braces being suitably connected with and secured at theirupper end-portions to suitably formed bearing-plates, as 27, eachbearingplate being provided with a bearing-portion, as 28, mounted uponthe said rod or shaft 10. Suitably connected with and secured at theirlower ends to said bearing-plates 27 are other angularly disposedbraces, as 29, in the form of tubular rods, said rods having their upperend-portions suitably connected with and suitably secured to therespective fittings 24 of the respective pair of centrally located uppertubular members or elements 23. Angular adjustment of the oscillatorilysuspended frame-work thus provided, in either direction upon theopposite sides of the normally vertical plane passing through thecentral longitudinal axis of the rod or shaft 10, is produced by meansof suitable flexible con nections 30, such as sprocket-link chains, wirecables, ropes, or the like.

In the drawings herewith accompanying, I have shown link-chains, saidchains being suitably secured at their ends to the abovementioned lowertubular elements or members 21 and passing over sprocket-wheels 31 whichare rotatably mounted upon the previously-mentioned rods or bars 12, thesaid link-chains 30 passing also'under and in engagement withsprocket-wheels 32 which are suitably secured upon a shaft 33, saidshaft being rotatably mounted slightly above the previously-mentionedplatform or base 2. That the said shaft 33 may receive a r0- tarymotion, in either direction, for the purpose of correspondingly movingthe link chains 30, so as to correspondingly adjust the frame-work,which carries the main plane or main supporting surface of the flyingmachine, in any angular relation that may be desired, the said shaft 33has secured thereon a bevel wheel 34. In mesh with this bevel wheel 34is a bevel wheel 35, which is secured upon a rotary vertical spindle orshaft 36, and which is provided with a handwheel 37 or other suitablyconstructed actuating means, for producing the rotary move ments of saidspindle or shaft 36.

In connection with the movable oradjustable frame-work just described,there is arranged at each end of said frame-work a small adjustableplane or aileron.

As will be seen more particularly from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings,each aileron consists, essentially, of a pair of vertical rods ormembers 38 and 39, which are rigidly connected with each other by meansof a suitable fitting 40, the said rods or members 38 and 39 beingpermanently secured at their outer end-portions, by means of thefittings 41 and 42, respectively, to the lower tubular endmembers 21 and"to the upper tubular. end-members 23. Each fitting 40 is made with theoppositely projecting bearing-portions 43 and 44 in which are rotatablyarranged the end-portions of the respective rods or bars45 and 46.Rigidly connected with the end-portions of these rods or bars 46, bymeans of suitable fittings, as 47, are the aileron main frames,

each frame comprising a number of rods or bars 48 which are suitablyconnected by means of suitable fittings 49. These aileron frames, aswill be understood, are of course covered with sail-cloth or canvas.Adjustment of either aileron is made by the operator seated upon a seat,as 50, upon the platform 2 of the machine or apparatus, by means offlexible connections 51, such as sprocket-link chains, cables, ropes, orthe like, the free end-portions of each flexible connection, in thiscase a link-chain being suitably secured to the opposite rods or members48 of the aileron-frame, then passing upwardly and through links oreyes, as 52, or other suitable means of suspension, connected with theupper end-rods 21, and then forwardly in directions toward the middle ofthe machine or apparatus, passing downwardly and through other links oreyes, as 52, or other suitable means of suspension, connected with thecentrally located upper rods 21, each link-chain passing over and beingin operative engagement with a sprocket-wheel 53. Each sprocket-Wheel 53is mounted upon a spindle 54 each spindle being rotatably arranged in asuitable bearing-portion in each side-bar 11, and each spindle 54 beingprovided with a suitable handle 55, or other operating means, forturning said spindles.

The means for propelling the flying machine is any suitable form ofmotor, as 56, suitably mounted upon the platform 2, from which is drivenby means of a link-chain 57, a propeller-shaft 58, upon the end-portionof which is mounted any suitable construction of propeller, as 59.

The rudder and steering-mechanism is not shown in the accompanyingdrawings, as any suitable construction of rudder and steering-mechanismmay be employed, the same forming no part of my present invention.

I am aware, that changes may be made in the arrangements andcombinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the detailsof the construction of the said parts, without departing from the scopeof the present invention as set forth in the foregoing specification,and as defined in the clauses of the claim which are appended to thesaid specification. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exactarrangements and combinations of the various devices and part-s asdescribed in the said specification,

the machine, standards connected with said.

main frame-work, cross-bars connected with said standards,bearing-portlons connected for tilting the entire main plane or mainsupporting surface, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a flying machine, a main framework provided with means forpropelling the machine, standards connected with said main frame-work,cross-bars connected with said standards, bearing-portions connectedwith said cross-bars, a shaft mounted in said bearing-portions, a mainplane or main supporting surface comprising an open frame-work ofrectangular cross-section, angularly disposed tie-rods in saidlastmentio-ned frame-work, bearing-portions connected with saidbearing-plates for pivot ally suspending the frame-work of said mainplane or main supporting surface from said shaft, a flexible connectionconnected at its ends with said main plane or main supporting surface,an actuating means connected with said main frame-work with which saidflexible connection cooperates for tilting the entire main plane or mainsupporting surface, ailerons at the respective ends of the said mainplane or main supporting surface, and mechanism between said mainframe-work and the said ailerons for tilting said ailerons independentlyof the said main plane or main supporting surface. substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

3. In a flying machine, a main framework provided with means forpropelling the machine, standards connected with said main frame-work,cross-bars connected with said standards, bearing-portions connectedwith said cross-bars, a shaft mounted in said bearing-portions, a mainplane or main supporting surface comprising an open frame-work ofrectangular cross-section, angularly disposed tie-rods in saidlast-mentioned frame-work, bearing-plates connected with said tie-rods,bearing-portions connected with said bearing-plates for pivotallysuspending the frame-work of said main plane or main supporting surfacefrom said shaft, a sprocket-link chain connected at its ends with saidmain plane or main supporting surface, sprocket-wheels upon said mainframe-work over which said link-ohain passes and is in engagementtherewith, and means for actuating one of said sprocket-wheels andcausing said linkchain to tilt the entire main plane or main supportingsurface, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4:. In a flying machine, a main framework provided with means forpropelling the machine, standards connected with said main frame-work,cross-bars connected with said standards, bearing-portions connectedwith said standards, bearing-portions connected with said cross-bars, ashaft mounted in said bearing-portions, a main plane or main supportingsurface comprising an open frame-work of rectangular cross-section,angularly disposed tie-rods in said last-mentioned frame-work,bearing-plates connected with said tie-rods, bearing-portions connectedwith said bearing-plates for pivotally suspending the frame-work of saidmain plane or main supporting surface from said shaft, a sprocket-linkchain connected at its ends with said main plane or main supportingsurface, sprocket-wheels upon said main frame-work over which saidlinkchain passes and is in engagement therewith, means for actuating oneof said sprocket-wheels and causing said link-chain to tilt the entiremain plane or main supporting surface, ailerons at the respective endsof the said main plane or main supporting surface, and mechanism betweensaid main frame-work and the said ailerons for tilting said aileronsindependently of the said main plane or main supporting surface,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a flying machine, a main framework provided with means forpropelling the machine, standards connected with said main frame-work,cross-bars connected with said standards, bearing-portions connectedwith said cross-bars, a shaft mounted in said bear-portions, a mainplane or main supporting surface comprising an open frame-work ofrectangular cross-section, angularly disposed tie-rods in saidlast-mentioned frame-work, bearing-plates connected with said tie-rods,bearing-portions connected with said bearing-plates for pivotallysuspending the frame-work of said main plane or main supporting surfacefrom said shaft, a sprocket-link chain connected at its ends with saidmain plane or main supporting surface, sprocket-wheels upon said mainframe-work over which said link-chain passes and is in engagementtherewith, a shaft connected with said main frame-work upon which one ofsaid sprocket-wheels is mounted, a bevel-gear upon said shaft, avertical shaft in said main frame-work, a bevel-gear upon said verticalshaft in mesh with the bevel-gear of said first-mentioned shaft, and ahand-wheel upon said vertical shaft for actuating said shaft and causingsaid link-chain to tilt the entire main plane or main supportingsurface, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a flying machine, a main framework provided with means forpropelling the machine, standards connected with said main frame-work,cross-bars connected with said standards, bearing-portions connectedwith said cross-bars, a shaft mounted in said bearing-portions, a mainplane or main supporting surface comprising an open frame-Work ofrectangular cross-section, angularly disposed tie-rods in saidlast-mentioned frame-work, bearing-plates connected with said tie-rods,bearing-portions connected with said bearing-plates for pivotallysuspending the frame-work of said main plane or main supporting surfacefrom said shaft, a sprocket-link chain connected at its ends with saidmain plane or main supporting surface, sprocket-wheels upon said mainframe-work over which said link-chain passes and is in engagementtherewith, a shaft connected with said main frame-work upon which one ofsaid sprocketwheels is mounted, a bevel-gear upon said shaft, a verticalshaft in said main framework, a bevel-gear upon said vertical shaft inmesh with the bevel-gear of said firstmentioned shaft, and a hand wheelupon said vertical shaft for actuating said shaft and causing saidlink-chain to tilt the entire main plane or main supporting surface,ailerons at the respective ends of the said main plane or mainsupporting surface, and mechanism between said main frame-work and thesaid ailerons for tilting said ailerons independently of the said mainplane or main supporting surface, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 14th day of August, 1911.

JOHN JIRASEK.

Witnesses FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, FREDK. H. W. FRAENTZEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

